Mark's Hypex NC400 Build

[klinemj]

Thanks all! I'm glad you all like the result and my wall-mounting idea. That one just came to me as I was getting tired of shopping cases on line and not finding anything I really liked. I started sketching my own designs and was originally thinking of putting them on a pedestal behind the Maggies...then I noticed the empty walls behind them! FYI, the poplar faces are just held on w/pins, so they lift off easily to be able to get inside if needed.

Matt (and any others wanting to know) - the connections are really easy. They come with 3 wiring harnesses: 1) line in to power supply, 2) supply to amp module, and 3) amp module to XLR input. You add your own connections for #1 to the power line in (I used 3/6" spade connectors), and there's a molex connector on the end that goes to the power line...you just plug it in. #2 has molex connectors on each end...plug one into the PS and one into the amp. #3 has a molex that plugs into the amp module and then you solder 3 of the lines that are within it to the XLR input. As you can see, I also added a power switch...some don't. Others add a switch to mute the amps and/or a power-on indicator. Obviously, I didn't need one w/my design...the "window" shows the indicator lights that are on the amp module (these will also indicate faults if there is one).

For the amp output, there are screw-down connectors that you connect your own wire to and solder the other end to the inside of the binding posts. For that wire, I used some old speaker wire I had laying around...two 12 gauge wires/terminal.

The only tricky part in the hands-on part is the soldering...which used to be easy for me...but my eyes have aged and it made it tough to see what I was aiming for on the XLR pins. I need a new bifocal prescription! Also, the instructions provided are not 100% clear and there is a part of text which disagrees with a drawing they show. That got me confused, but the folks at Hypex were very helpful in helping me get it right. If anyone wants to build one and is confused...I gotcha covered on the J9 pin confusion!

Other things reco'd to do are to twist the wire (you can see mine is twisted and locked in w/cable ties on two of them just to keep the winding tight), and then you also need to pay attention to the cable pathways to avoid getting noise into the system. My wiring layout is about as ideal as you can get and I am not hearing any noise at all.

On other topics...I tried out some music with a lot of dynamics and they really have PUNCH! Steely Dan "Aja", selections from "Hidden Treasures" (including Peter Frampton on "Hideaway"), and Johnny Hiland's "All Fired Up" gave a good test on dynamics. There were some moments I was getting pulsed kicks of the bass drum that were quite impressive!

Mark

[matthew1975]

Thanks Mark, I while probably start one of these projects eventually. First I have decided to save for the 1.7 maggies and go from there. Well enjoy all your work on them, your setup looks awesome from the pics.

[rclark]

Yeah the bass, you have guys who've owned dozens of high end amps saying it's the best they've ever heard. Makes my Maggie's sound like they're picking a fight. Pretty awesome..

[klinemj]

+1!!!

[harri009]

Mark, I am very interested in your comparison to the XPA-2, please do an indepth listen with the XPA-2. I wonder how much of the new sound you attribute to the amp when it could be the new maggies that you are not familiar with.

[bootman]

How many modules can you run off the power supply?
I wonder what they recommend if you want to build a 5ch amp?

[rclark]

You can run two modules off one supply, but for full power, one supply per module is recommended. However, you can certainly start with one supply and two modules, then add another supply later. Someone on diyaudio.com tried it with one supply as quickly went back to two, but it is doable.

[GreenKiwi]

I think that I probably wouldn't bother with trying to double up for 5ch, but I might if I were doing 7ch.

3 psu X RCL
1 psu - side
1 psu - rear

you'd be saving $360, but only saving $180 for a 5ch might not be worth it. Though you could start and always add later.

[rclark]

Yeah I would just wait and save the money, the amps are completely worth doing right.

[rogersch]

For the ease of installation I just made 5 mono blocks, so 1 PSU per amplifier.
I would consider to use one PSU and two NCore400 I case you would start to bi-amp a speaker.

[klinemj]

Mark, I am very interested in your comparison to the XPA-2, please do an indepth listen with the XPA-2. I wonder how much of the new sound you attribute to the amp when it could be the new maggies that you are not familiar with.

Actually, the comments I made are relative to the XPA-2 w/the Maggies. I've had the Maggies for several weeks and listened extensively to all the tracks I mentioned. So, I have gotten pretty familiar with the sound. you may be thinking I'm not that familiar w/the Maggies because of my saga of the defective ones. I did just get the pair to replace the defective ones.

I will, after a few weeks, put the XPA-2 back in the system to re-compare.

Mark

[Dark Ranger]

I too am extremely curious to read your feedback when you switch back to the XPA-2 later on after some quality time with the nCores.

It can be difficult to identify the source of various improvements when several things are changed within a short time. However, as you say, you've had the Maggies for a few weeks connected to the XPA-2.

You've got a wonderful setup there. It's such a joy when dreams come true. ;D

[harri009]

Sept 16, 2012 13:52:01 GMT -5 klinemj said:

Mark, I am very interested in your comparison to the XPA-2, please do an indepth listen with the XPA-2. I wonder how much of the new sound you attribute to the amp when it could be the new maggies that you are not familiar with.

Actually, the comments I made are relative to the XPA-2 w/the Maggies. I've had the Maggies for several weeks and listened extensively to all the tracks I mentioned. So, I have gotten pretty familiar with the sound. you may be thinking I'm not that familiar w/the Maggies because of my saga of the defective ones. I did just get the pair to replace the defective ones.

I will, after a few weeks, put the XPA-2 back in the system to re-compare.

Mark

Yeah, I knew you have had them for about 2 weeks. But you said that you put your old box speakers back in the system for the last couple days of that. I know when I go to box speakers for any time frame I am always amazed at how good the maggies sound when I come back to them.

I am sure the Ncores sound great and have been following your build with everyone else in great excitement. I am not trying to be a debbie downer just wondering about the above aspect. thanks

[rclark]

It's no surprise, a long list of very respectable amps have been beaten by these, it's just a different level of amp. My amp is no slouch either and it got beaten soundly. As in holy moly that's incredible. Kind of why these are a big deal, first time real world class is accessible.

Seems like Mark's experience is a lot like mine, and there is a clear difference, not just kinda better.

[bootman]

This would make a nice amp case.

www.aliexpress.com/item/A-HIEND-full-Aluminum-power-AMP-Chassis-box-Marklevinson/489790642.html

[klinemj]

Indeed...but my off-beat mind is turning to "how to orient 5 amp modules, at least 3 power supplies if not 5 and all the assorted wiring and inputs/outputs into 1 kickass/bizarre case"

Maybe one with each amp module mounted vertically on a sheet of aluminum behind smoked glass to show off the Cylon eye and the modules, and the power supplies horizontal behind the aluminum sheet...I...think...it....might......just.....WORK!!!!!!!

Ah sh**...I need to put away those thoughts for at least 6 months.

Mark

[klinemj]

OK, more audio updates...

I had mostly been listening at lower volumes due to sleeping kids/etc. Not whisper-quiet, but not "rockin' out" either. So, I decided to push them a bit once I had the chance. They crank it out just fine, thanks.

And, in pushing the volume up, I could not help but notice that all the qualities I reported earlier stayed front and center...very clear, hearing things I don't normally hear, and great separation of notes/instruments/locations.

Also, in reading about these some who have not liked them have posted that they felt the nCores were very "revealing" and used that as a negative - often saying that a poor recording was revealed as bad sounding, implying that this was not the case with other equipment. This raised a slight concern, however, when most others have said that their systems are very "revealing" - I have felt that what was revealed was a weakness in their system, possibly in addition to the recording.

So, I put on one that some say is "revealing"...Springsteen's "The Wild, the Innocent, and the E-street Shuffle". The result was "revealing"...in a very good way. I heard things I have never heard before with the clarity I heard it. And it sounded great.

At this point, all of my questions have been answered. It sounds great at my typical listening volumes on my "standards", it sounds great when pushed, it sounds great on "revealing" (wink, wink, nudge, nudge, know what I mean...) recordings...I love them.

So, this week, I will be taking them out, finalizing a few finishing touches inside and out, then re-inserting them to "live with them" for a few weeks. While I do that, I will do some wiring cleanup and insert my new CMX-2 into the system. After a few weeks, I'll drop the XPA-2 back in to see what going back is like. By that time, all will be well broken-in (esp. the speakers which will need some time), and an even fairer cross-comparison can be made to the XPA-2.

At this point, I will go on record saying the XPA-2 is no "slouch". I have been and always will be proud to own one. But, the nCores are better...clearer, more separations in notes/instruments/space, and less harsh at the high end.

Stay tuned to see if I change my mind!

Mark

[GreenKiwi]

I'm thinking about getting this case (well, two of them)

www.siliconray.com/james-romeyn-re2207-jrnc-enclosure-for-ncore.html

I wonder whether they'd put the wood face plate on it... and whether or not you get more emf with the wood faceplate. I guess I could always put a metal plate or aluminum tape on the inside.

[klinemj]

I considered that one. Others complained the holes were not drilled where they needed to be, and I didn't get prompt/quality responses from them and other related pre-made cases. That led me to I opt out. That + general confusion about the suppiers could not address led to me building my custom cases. Fortunately, I had the tools to do my own, so I took the unknown out and did my own.

I would have love the look of these, but I found too many negatives to consider buying them.

Mark

[GreenKiwi]

Glad to know about that sooner, ie before building.

I'm guessing I could probably get away with just using a drill press. Now I just need to find access to one.

What other tools did you end up needing?